Bennett, who has served as property assessor since 1994, was recently appointed by Haslam to the Tennessee Board of Equalization. Bennett lives in Ooltewah with his wife of 54 years and has three children and one grandchild. Prior to his time in the assessor's office he spent more than two decades at Combustion Engineering and co-owned an insurance business. He also served several terms as a District 9 county commissioner.

"I know a lot people who think that anybody that's got a government job kind of has a gravy train," Bennett said. "But this is a tough job, it's a sensitive job. We've got so many state mandates that we've got to abide by."

Coppinger, who was first elected to county office in 2006, said he plans to focus on jobs and education. He worked at the Chattanooga Fire Department for 28 years, serving the last eight as chief.

Coppinger said he plans to continue "to run efficient government and ... do it cost effectively."

McClure, pastor at Middle Valley Church of God, said he plans to "keep this community going in the right direction." He wants to work to get fire hydrants placed in unincorporated areas of his district and improve technology in schools.

Mullis-Morgan said that, to date, she has had no other potential candidates pick up petitions.